Splash Doesn’t Expect to Have Ruotolo Back on the Roster

ANAHEIM — Raffaele Ruotolo, the Splash’s second all-time leading scorer, apparently won’t be back for the 1997 season.

Splash player-coach Dale Ervine, wanting to move forward with players “100% committed to being at every practice and every game,” decided not to keep Ruotolo, who ended last season on the suspended list after confrontations with management.

“I told Dale I respected his decision, [but] we never talked about whether I could make a commitment,” said Ruotolo, a midfielder who also missed games last season while playing for the U.S. national beach soccer team.

“If Dale asked me can I commit 100% to Anaheim, the answer’s yes, but I can’t do it for $500. I’m still ready to make that commitment. I have no problem playing for Dale.”

In other news, the San Diego Sockers, defending Western Division champion and Splash rival, canceled their season Friday after potential ownership groups decided it was too late to go forward with the season that begins June 13.

The Sockers were to play the Splash five times. A dispersal draft will be held next week.

Revised schedule

June 18--at Monterrey, 6:30; 20--Portland, 7:35; 22--Seattle, 6:05; 27--at Indiana, 5:35; 28--at Detroit, 4:35.

July 2--Sacramento, 7:35; 11--at Seattle, 7:05; 13--Dallas, 6:05; 20--Seattle, 6:05; 26--at Sacramento, 7:05.

Aug. 7--at Seattle, 7:05; 9--at Portland, 7:35 p.m.; 10--Arizona, 6:05; 16--at Dallas, 5:05; 17--Houston, 6:05; 20--at Portland, 7:35; 23--Monterrey, 7:35; 24--at Portland, 6:05; 27--at Seattle, 7:05; 29--Sacramento, 7:35; 30--at Arizona, 7:05.

Sept. 5--Portland, 7:35; 6--Dallas, 7:35; 12--at Arizona, 7:05; 14--Arizona, 6:05; 19--Sacramento, 7:35; 21--at Sacramento, 6:05; 28--Detroit, 6:05.